Bonaire Questions for first timer

[zuzanne]

Just got reservations at the Lions Dive Resort for Christmas/New Years 2005. Would like any info on this resort and their dive operation that anyone may have. This will be our first very long awaited trip to Bonaire. What kind of weather and water temps should we expect during that time of year? We will be doing a lot of shore dives as well as a few boat dives. What are the must do boat/shore dives? If the onsite dive op is not highly regarded what shop should we use for renting tanks/weights and boat dives? We will be taking our own gear. Will we need a wetsuit or is a skin or shorty enough?

Does the Island have a large celebration and fireworks display for New Years Eve?

Thanks all for any help you can give me. I know its a year away but planning is part of the fun on dive trips.

Zuzanne

 

[munkispank]

hey zuzanne,
I can't answer the questions about time of the year, but Lions dive resort seemed like a nice enough place. I didn't stay there but checked it out and dove from their shore. The dive was OK, but there are nicer spots. The dive shop seemed nice too, although they seemed a little surprised that we were advising them about our intention to dive their spot (which you are encouraged to do on Bonaire).

as far as fav spots to dive- check out the Hilma hooker- nice wreck from shore, and do one of the peirs, aparently you now have ot go with a guide.

if you decide not to use the onsite dive shop (although they all seem to be ok ) then buddy dive down the raod is good.

I don't know about xmas, but we went in August and had 78 degree water. We wore 3mm jumpsuits and were cold towards the end of the week after lots of diving. everyone is different though and some people wore nothing.
I'm sure someone else will post other info
enjoy

 

[SubMariner]

Just got reservations at the Lions Dive Resort for Christmas/New Years 2005. Would like any info on this resort and their dive operation that anyone may have. This will be our first very long awaited trip to Bonaire. What kind of weather and water temps should we expect during that time of year? We will be doing a lot of shore dives as well as a few boat dives. What are the must do boat/shore dives? If the onsite dive op is not highly regarded what shop should we use for renting tanks/weights and boat dives? We will be taking our own gear. Will we need a wetsuit or is a skin or shorty enough?

Does the Island have a large celebration and fireworks display for New Years Eve?

Thanks all for any help you can give me. I know its a year away but planning is part of the fun on dive trips.

Zuzanne

Please, I'm begging you (see the grovelling) to do a search on this subject. Bonaire has come up countless times before on this board. It will make your life so much simplier!

 

[herman]

I agree with SM on the search but here are a couple of things that will not come up. First, Lions Dive has recently been taken over by Buddy Dive and the old on site dive op Bon Bini has moved off site but not to worry. BD has a very good resort and dive staff, they are my perfered op on the island. Buddy and LD are side by side and there are now several passages between the 2 resorts. For those who know the dock, the gate between them has been removed as well.
I just got back from Bonaire on Fri and the water temp was 81 everywhere we dove and it was 79 when I was there last Feb so my guess would be 80.

 

[aquasport]

Stayed at buddys in aug you will like them.

 

[dvrliz1]

The fireworks are spectacular! The partying starts later. Usually it's a family dinner thing, then the island is a glow throughout the night... You will have a magnificent time! Enjoy!

Liz

 

[diversteve]

What kind of weather and water temps should we expect during that time of year? We will be doing a lot of shore dives as well as a few boat dives. What are the must do boat/shore dives?
Zuzanne

It's always around 80'

Divesites north to south:

Karpata
Rappel - boat only
1000 Steps
Cliff/La Machaca
Buddy's Reef - do your BMP orientation here.
Bari Reef - shallow
Town Pier - night - DM guided only
Hilma Hooker wreck
Angel City
Salt Pier - DM guided only
Invisibles
Vista Blue - strong currents but imho one of the best.

Klein sites:
Hands off - drift dive at certain times
Forest - forest of Black Coral at 70'
South Bay
Jerry's Reef - shallow site but there's turtles there.

Sites worth skipping(imho):

Jeff Davis
Witches Hut

Rent from Buddy's, they're now your dive op since they bought Lions Dive. Drive-thru tank pickup on their property.

As mentioned do a search here for Bonaire, there's currently 500 threads listed.

Read the forum at www.bonairetalk.com.

PM if you have any specific questions.

Steve

 

[SubMariner]

I agree with SM on the search but here are a couple of things that will not come up. First, Lions Dive has recently been taken over by Buddy Dive and the old on site dive op Bon Bini has moved off site but not to worry. BD has a very good resort and dive staff, they are my perfered op on the island. Buddy and LD are side by side and there are now several passages between the 2 resorts. For those who know the dock, the gate between them has been removed as well.
I just got back from Bonaire on Fri and the water temp was 81 everywhere we dove and it was 79 when I was there last Feb so my guess would be 80.

Thanks for the update, Herman. Much appreciated.

For the record, I consider Herman one of our resident Bonaire experts here on SB.

 

[rjchandler]

Herman - is BD making use of the old Bon Bini facilities?

 

[herman]

Not at this time as Bon Bini has just vacated, it's a guess on my part but I suspect they will. The extra gear storage space would be nice. I just got back Sat so the info is up to date.

Thanks for the kind words Submariner, I do love the island.